Mikheil Saakashvili is elected President of Georgia following the November 2003 Rose Revolution.

Mikheil Saakashvili: A Profile of a Georgian and Ukrainian Political Figure

Mikheil Saakashvili, born on December 21, 1967, is a prominent figure whose career has spanned the highest echelons of both Georgian and Ukrainian politics. A trained jurist with a deep understanding of legal frameworks, his political journey has been marked by periods of radical reform, significant geopolitical events, and persistent controversy. He is identified by his Georgian name Mikheil Saak’ashvili (Georgian: მიხეილ სააკაშვილი [miχɛjl sɑːkʼɑʃʷili]) and his Ukrainian name Mikheil Saakashvili (Ukrainian: Міхеіл Саакашвілі [m⁽ʲ⁾ixeˈil sɐɐkɐʃˈwil⁽ʲ⁾i]).

Early Career and Ascent to the Georgian Presidency

Saakashvili's involvement in Georgian politics began in 1995, quickly establishing him as a reform-minded leader. His political trajectory culminated in his assumption of the Georgian presidency in January 2004. This followed the pivotal "Rose Revolution" of November 2003, a largely bloodless popular uprising that led to the resignation of then-President Eduard Shevardnadze. Saakashvili, alongside key political allies such as Nino Burjanadze and Zurab Zhvania, played a central role in orchestrating this movement, which fundamentally reshaped Georgia's political landscape and signaled a strong desire for democratic change and reduced corruption within the nation.

Presidency in Georgia (2004-2013)

Serving two consecutive terms, from January 25, 2004, to November 17, 2013, Saakashvili's presidency was characterized by an ambitious agenda aimed at transforming Georgia into a modern, Western-aligned liberal democracy. He was overwhelmingly re-elected in the Georgian presidential election on January 5, 2008, underscoring the initial public support for his reforms.

Key Policy Initiatives and Outcomes

Challenges and Controversies

Despite his popularity, which saw his approval rating reach 67% in 2010, Saakashvili's presidency faced substantial criticism. Concerns were raised that many of his reforms were imposed top-down, lacking broad public consensus and potentially suppressing dissent. While crime and corruption demonstrably decreased, allegations of a "police state" emerged, marked by suppression of opposition voices and documented abuses against inmates in prisons, challenging the democratic credentials of his administration.

The 2008 Russo-Georgian War

A defining moment of Saakashvili's presidency was the escalation of tensions with Abkhazia and South Ossetia. These two breakaway republics had fought separatist wars against Georgia in the 1990s and received significant support from Russia. The long-standing disputes culminated in the brief but devastating Five-Day War in August 2008, which involved direct military intervention by Russia. The conflict resulted in the occupation of more Georgian territory by Russian forces and Russia's recognition of Abkhazia and South Ossetia as independent states, further complicating Georgia's sovereignty claims over these regions.

Transition of Power and Legal Challenges

On October 2, 2012, in a landmark moment for Georgian democracy, Saakashvili conceded defeat in the parliamentary election. His United National Movement party lost to the Georgian Dream coalition, led by billionaire Bidzina Ivanishvili. Saakashvili publicly pledged not to obstruct the constitutional process of forming a new government, marking Georgia's first-ever peaceful transition of power since gaining independence from the Soviet Union. As the Georgian constitution barred him from seeking a third term, he did not run in the 2013 presidential election, which was won by the Georgian Dream's candidate, Giorgi Margvelashvili.

Shortly after the election, Saakashvili left Georgia. The Georgian Prosecutor's Office subsequently filed numerous criminal charges against him, including allegations of abuse of power and embezzlement during his presidency. Saakashvili, however, consistently denied these charges, accusing the Georgian government of using the legal system as a tool for political retribution against him and his allies.

The Ukrainian Chapter: Governor and Statelessness

Following his departure from Georgia, Saakashvili became a vocal supporter of Ukraine's pro-Western movements, including the Euromaidan protests and the subsequent Revolution of Dignity in 2014, which fundamentally altered Ukraine's political trajectory.

On May 30, 2015, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko appointed Saakashvili as Governor of Ukraine's strategically important Odessa Oblast. To facilitate this appointment, Saakashvili was granted Ukrainian citizenship. This move, however, led to his being stripped of his Georgian citizenship due to Georgia's strict laws prohibiting dual nationality for certain public officials.

His tenure as Governor was marked by ambitious anti-corruption initiatives but also growing friction with the central Ukrainian government. On November 7, 2016, Saakashvili dramatically resigned from his position, publicly blaming President Poroshenko for enabling widespread corruption in Odessa and across Ukraine. Four days later, he announced his intention to form a new political party in Ukraine, the "Movement of New Forces," aiming to challenge the political establishment.

His relationship with Poroshenko further deteriorated, leading to Saakashvili being stripped of his Ukrainian citizenship by President Poroshenko on July 26, 2017, while Saakashvili was in the United States. This rendered him effectively stateless, a unique predicament for a former head of state. However, his stateless status was temporary. On May 29, 2019, newly elected Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky restored Saakashvili's Ukrainian citizenship, allowing him to return to Ukraine and resume his political activities. Since May 7, 2020, he has headed the Executive Committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council, focusing on implementing reforms within the country.

Return to Georgia and Imprisonment

On October 1, 2021, after an eight-year absence, Mikheil Saakashvili claimed to have secretly returned to Georgia, urging his followers to organize a large-scale march on the capital, Tbilisi. Despite Georgian police initially denying his presence in the country, he was arrested later the same day in Tbilisi. The subsequent investigation alleged that Saakashvili had entered Georgia illegally by secretly transporting himself in a container aboard a sea cargo ship. Following his arrest, Georgian President Salome Zourabichvili publicly stated that she would "never" pardon him, a position she later reconfirmed. In response to his arrest and legal proceedings, Saakashvili declared a hunger strike, which was subsequently joined by other members of his political party, the United National Movement.

Health Concerns and Legal Status

On October 10, 2021, concerns regarding Saakashvili's health during his hunger strike prompted his personal doctor to request his transfer to a hospital. Saakashvili eventually ended his hunger strike after reaching an agreement with authorities for his transfer to Gori Military Hospital for medical treatment. As of March 20, he remains incarcerated in No. 12 penitentiary facility in Rustavi, Georgia, as legal proceedings against him continue.

Frequently Asked Questions About Mikheil Saakashvili

When was Mikheil Saakashvili born?
Mikheil Saakashvili was born on December 21, 1967.
What political offices has Mikheil Saakashvili held?
He served as the third President of Georgia for two consecutive terms (2004-2013) and as the Governor of Ukraine's Odessa Oblast (2015-2016). He is also the founder and former chairman of Georgia's United National Movement party and currently heads the Executive Committee of Ukraine's National Reform Council.
What was the "Rose Revolution" and Mikheil Saakashvili's role in it?
The "Rose Revolution" was a series of peaceful protests in November 2003 in Georgia that led to the resignation of President Eduard Shevardnadze amidst allegations of election fraud. Mikheil Saakashvili was one of the key leaders of this movement, which ushered in a new era of pro-Western reforms in Georgia.
What were the main goals of Saakashvili's presidency in Georgia?
His primary goals included aligning Georgia with Western liberal democracies, combating widespread corruption and government inefficiency, reducing crime, and re-asserting sovereignty over all Georgian territory. He also pursued significant economic liberalization and pro-NATO/pro-EU foreign policies.
What was the 2008 Russo-Georgian War?
Also known as the Five-Day War or August War, this conflict occurred in August 2008 between Georgia and Russia, involving Russia's support for the breakaway regions of Abkhazia and South Ossetia. It resulted in Russian occupation of some Georgian territories and Russia's recognition of the independence of Abkhazia and South Ossetia.
How did Mikheil Saakashvili become involved in Ukrainian politics?
He supported Ukraine's Euromaidan movement and the Revolution of Dignity. Subsequently, he was appointed Governor of Odessa Oblast by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko in 2015, for which he was granted Ukrainian citizenship.
Why was Mikheil Saakashvili stripped of his Georgian citizenship?
He was stripped of his Georgian citizenship because Georgian law has restrictions on dual nationality for certain public officials, and he acquired Ukrainian citizenship upon his appointment as Governor of Odessa Oblast.
Why was Mikheil Saakashvili arrested in Georgia in 2021?
He was arrested in Tbilisi on October 1, 2021, shortly after claiming to have secretly returned to Georgia after an eight-year absence. The Georgian authorities stated that he entered the country secretly via a sea cargo ship, in violation of the law. He faces numerous criminal charges filed against him by the Georgian Prosecutor's Office stemming from his presidency.
What happened in the 2004 Georgian Presidential Election?
Held on January 4, 2004, following Eduard Shevardnadze's resignation, the election saw Mikheil Saakashvili win an overwhelming victory, securing over 97% of the votes cast. This result, confirmed by preliminary figures from the Central Election Commission on January 6, marked his official ascent to the presidency. Other candidates in the election received less than 2% of the vote each, including Temur Shashiashvili, Kartlos Garibashvili, Zurab Kelekhsashvili, Zaza Sikharulidze, and Roin Liparteliani.